The Raptors do a pretty sweat [sic] recap of (I think) all their games in a thing called "Game in 6 Minutes." Since it's YouTube, the quality is obviously not ideal, but they're well-edited and you can find dozens of them.

For those who haven't seen TJ much, this is a good way to get a look at him in situations that aren't just highlights. Unfortunately, there is generally more Jose than TJ in the six minute clips, but you'll still get a more nuanced look at his game/abilities than other TJ YouTube vids, which tend to be only his sickest assists, ankle-breakers or dunks set to bad music. And regardless, the Raps are a pretty fun team to watch anyway (unless you're Lou Dobbs).

Here are a few I just watched.

GSW @ TOR

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We see TJ get abused in the paint twice to start things off. Then also see him push the ball up the floor, smoke The Beard off the dribble (though he misses the J) and make a creative cross-court pass to Bosh.

Later he makes a nice transition lob to Maceo. At 3:30, you'll see what people don't like about his defense. People make him out to be a real ball-hawk, which he can be at times, but he also falls asleep or gets muscled out of position quite a bit (or just sags off guys he's quicker than for no real reason). Honestly, you really can't guard a screen/roll any worse than he does right there. The next play, however, shows his best asset -- his ability to beat the D up the floor. And it's not just with his feet...it's a mindset. Here, he makes a sweet lead pass to Kapono.

Around 4:00, you see him also not put much pressure on Monta and then be unable to disrupt Baron even remotely on a reach-in hedge. Then, at 5:05, you see something we will see a lot of next year. This drive-and-dish game is going to get us an absurd amount of open threes.

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TOR @ LAL

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Great post sequence by Rasho at 0:40. Strong screen on Fish, decent show with Gasol behind him, nice pass to the cutter, and fantastic mismatch recognition by going right to the hoop and man-handling Fish. Later, he shows his range nicely at 4:30ish and chases down an O board at 5:15.

No TJ sightings until 3:04, when he makes a great pass. More size-related D issues at 3:45 on Farmar, but then he makes a nice steal and has a ballsy, sick dunk attempt in Kobe's grill (although it doesn't work out so well). More bad D at 4:50. Creates his own shot nicely on the next play (though misses the J). More sloppy D at 5:45...There's really no reason to collapse that far when Kobe's going to the other side of the lane (especially when you're too little to possibly affect his shot), although it does take a great pass from Mamba for him to get burnt on it. Nine times out of ten, TJ won't get bitten by that cause few people can make that pass. Unfortunately, that's also the reason people develop bad habits.

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ORL @ TOR (Playoffs, Game 4)

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Starts the game with a great pass to Andrea that hits him in the perfect location to shoot. (A PG's ability to do that is, IMO, the most underrated aspect of the position...and just passing in general. As a shooter myself, that really is the difference between me making it and missing it like half the time. If it hits you square in the pocket in rhythm, the ball may as well already be in the hoop.)

He abuses Jameer at 0:45, but tries to do too much on the next trip down and forces a bad shot (another one of his flaws.)

Off-topic, but Bosh looks exactly like 2004 JO at 3:15.

TJ shows his quickness at 3:40. Then he shows horrible screen/roll defense at 3:55. Has a great drive-and-dump at 4:03. At 4:28 and again at 4:58, you get to see more another of his lazy defensive habits: ball-staring while standing still. IMO, a guy with his size and quickness should just be more active...and no one should just stand in the paint with their back to their man while watching the dribbler like he's 1987 MJ or something.

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Okay...That's all I got time for. Would love to hear other people's takes (pointing at you tbird).

I hope this doesn't come off overly critical. I really do like the guy (although I've always hated how he plays defense). I'm just calling what I see on these vids.

MagicRat

07-11-2008, 03:53 PM

Pretty pixelated.....

Will Galen

07-11-2008, 03:54 PM

Hahaha, that's pretty good getting all that from 3 burly pictures. Talk about an imagination! And what is that arrow in the center of the picture, some sort of watermark?

avoidingtheclowns

07-11-2008, 03:59 PM

Thanks for the sweat analysis.....

what's got you all salty?

docpaul

07-11-2008, 04:00 PM

This is one hell of a nice post... thank you!!

JayRedd

07-11-2008, 04:06 PM

Because MR is so clever...I shall leave it.

NuffSaid

07-11-2008, 04:43 PM

Looking at the videos, I can tell why the Raptors weren't willing to give up Bargnani over Nesterovic. Bargnani seems to be more fluid with his moves, more confident and assertive while "Nester" seems to have his feet stuck in quicksand alot; reminds me of how confused Ike would look when out on the court. Something tells me it would be a big mistake to put Nester and Hibbert on the floor at the same time.

I do like that we got Maceo back. I think with him and Ford we're gonna see alot of plays above the rim. Get ready for some ESPN game highlights, y'all. There's bound to be many ally-opp throwdowns with these two.

It's too bad we didn't get to see more of TJ Ford scoring in the first two highlights, specifically on lane penetration/iso plays. He does make some pretty good no-look passes, though. But dribbling through traffic...:(...that's got to go. When the defense collapses, pass the rock!

(Note to JayRedd: If you're gonna post videos that feature newly acquired players from their former team(s), could you please make sure the former team wins? Just a thought...;) )

Tom White

07-11-2008, 07:36 PM

Hahaha, that's pretty good getting all that from 3 burly pictures. Talk about an imagination! And what is that arrow in the center of the picture, some sort of watermark?

Will, I hope you were kidding. The Arrow is what you click on to start the video.

Oneal07

07-12-2008, 02:40 PM

Rahso played extremely well at the end of last season. . .he can hit the mid-range jumper consistently which is a good thing.

What I like about TJ is his ability to draw the defense in. You can't run zone with TJ in the game cause he'll make it fall apart